MrTemptation

by Annabelle Weston

  He settled in the backseat of his car, miserable. Dinner with Cadence had been wonderful. He’d broken through her shell. She revealed to him who she really was, a desirable woman. Not the phony Norman Rockwell daughter who could do no wrong.

  They could’ve had the night—a mind-blowing, sensual adventure—together if only he hadn’t been so damned focused on this London deal.

  “Office?” Frank asked.

  He didn’t miss Frank’s scowl of disapproval. Preston shook his head. He lived in a world of hopeless romantics. “Yeah.”

  “She’s a dish,” Frank said. “If you don’t mind me calling ‘em like I see ‘em.”

  “You’re such a connoisseur of women,” Preston replied bitterly.

  Frank grunted and laid on the horn. The yellow cab in front of them swerved into the next lane just in time to avoid being rear-ended.

  “Too bad your work is your mistress,” Frank said with his usual candor.

  Preston looked out the window. He had totally blown his first date with the woman he’d loved for years, no pretending otherwise.

  He opened his BlackBerry and found the phone number for the Michelangelo. He punched in the number and listened to the ring. The hotel operator answered.

  Preston identified himself and asked her to call Cadence’s room. The phone rang ten times. No answer.

  “I’m sorry but Miss Burke isn’t available,” the operator said. “Would you care to leave a message?”

  “No thanks.” Preston terminated the call and turned off his cell. Either she was already asleep or she was mad at him. He hoped it was the former but he wouldn’t blame her if she was pissed.

  “I can turn around and take you back to Miss Burke’s hotel,” Frank said.

  “She’s gone to bed. I don’t want to wake her.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  Preston sat back. He couldn’t shake the blues. He’d left her for a business call. He wouldn’t again if she gave him a second chance.

  * * * * *

  Cadence woke with a start, sat straight up in bed and pushed her hair from her face. She looked down at her wrinkled clothes and blinked. The digital clock on the nightstand glowed 6:09 a.m.

  She had slept straight through the night. What sweet dreams. She fell back against the down pillows. The memories of yesterday came flooding back. Preston Night. What had he done to her?

  His steamy kisses had put her in a better frame of mind, that was for sure. How amazing they’d found each other after all these years.

  She couldn’t wait to see him this morning.

  She stretched her arms and sighed. He’d been so gentle when explaining the circumstances of her mother’s trust. The secrets. The lies. Mother must’ve been so unhappy. And her father. He’d kept his affair with Victoria a secret to protect himself from a scandal. She hated what they’d done to each other as much as she hated what they’d done to her.

  She wished Preston didn’t work so hard. When did he sleep? He had to keep all of his offices across the world afloat. Of course, she was somewhat of a workaholic herself. She laughed, realizing how old habits died hard. They would have to teach each other how to relax and enjoy the moment.

  She looked at the clock again.

  6:17.

  She jumped up from the bed and went to the bar to grab a Diet Coke, not having time to wait around for coffee to brew. Taking a big gulp, she ran to her suitcase to pick out something to wear for the meeting with Preston’s mother. She wanted to look presentable. She should’ve brought more clothes but who could’ve predicted the chain of events that sent her life topsy-turvy in the last couple days?

  The only clean outfit she had was a jeans skirt and white cotton blouse. Not the image of the sexy woman she wanted to project but it would have to do.

  As Cadence rushed through her morning grooming schedule, she couldn’t help but wonder what she would say when she saw Preston. Would he offer apologies? Regrets? She certainly hoped so. This time she wouldn’t let him off the hook so easily.

  7:11.

  She blow-dried her hair, downed the rest of her Diet Coke and then put on her jeans skirt and cotton blouse.

  7:28.

  She should really get back to New Haven. The Witch expected her to vacate the condo pronto. She didn’t want anybody else touching her stuff.

  That’s what the old Cadence Burke would’ve done. The new Cadence said—screw Victoria and her demands!

  Taking a deep breath and one last look in the mirror, her confidence zoomed. She looked decent. More than decent.

  7:30.

  At that moment, her room phone rang. She ran to grab it and knocked her shin into the frame of the bed.

  Damn!

  Rubbing the sore spot, she answered.

  “Miss Burke, there is a gentlemen here by the name of Preston Night.”

  Even the sound of his name sent her body into a frenzy of need. “Thank you, I’ll be right down.”

  She replaced the receiver, a silly grin on her face.

  Are you even thinking straight? Why hadn’t she asked the receptionist to send him on up? Was there some kind of rule that sex could only occur at night? Hell no.

  She realized she liked being a seductress, a sex kitten, a woman about the town. She’d waited too long to find this out.

  She grabbed a silk scarf and a purse. On her way to the elevator, she tried to talk herself out of her sexual fantasy. He was here on business. She’d important papers to sign.

  Her heart overruled her head.

  Limbs shaking, complete with goose bumps, she entered the elevator. She hadn’t been this nervous since she’d given her dissertation and that had been a speech in front of almost five hundred students and faculty.

  She did her calming breaths. Breathe in, breathe out. One, two, three…

  Ping.

  The elevator doors opened. She expected him to be there waiting for her like he had been the night before but the hallway was empty. She swallowed her panic and turned in the direction of the lobby.

  There, leaning against a pillar, dressed in black Armani with a light-blue shirt and matching tie, was the man she had suffered over for the last twenty-four hours. He was beyond sexy. He was light years more than titillating. And he was staring at her.

  Head up. Shoulders back.

  She walked toward him with a definite bounce in her step. He was freshly shaved. His hair was combed perfectly in place, except for one naughty lock that fell onto his forehead. Well, she’d have to do something about that.

  His cool green eyes searched her face. Did she detect a flicker of uneasiness? Of regret? He smiled at her through perfect teeth rimmed by firm, sensual lips. Her imagination hadn’t exaggerated last night. He was definitely the man in her dreams.

  Preston pushed off the pillar and sauntered toward her. His powerful, well-muscled body moved with easy grace and confidence. It was his style, and what attracted her to him in the first place. It’s what defined him. He didn’t hold back this morning.

  She sucked in her breath, unable to take her eyes from his body. Whatever apprehension she’d carried with her was gone. As he approached her, his mouth curved into a playful smile and grabbed her with its heart-pounding magnetism.

  Taking her by surprise, he grabbed both of her hands in his strong, warm ones and pulled her close, kissing her lightly on the cheek. Her breath slipped out of her at the touch of his warm, silky lips on her skin, and waves of excitement crashed through her.

  “You look fabulous.” He kept hold of her hands but stepped back to take a long, admiring look.

  “Same outfit I had on yesterday.”

  He nodded. “Still looks great.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Sorry about last night.”

  “No problem. Actually, I crashed as soon as I reached the bed.”

  She was sure it was relief that smoothed out the lines in his forehead and brought a smile to his lips.

  “I know you had a long day,” he said. �
��I shouldn’t have kept you up so late.”

  “Don’t apologize. I’m a big girl.”

  Looking into his eyes, she hoped to convey what he meant to her without having to say the words.

  “So we’re cool?” he asked.

  “You had me at the elevator doors opening.”

  His smile turned into a grin. “Did you sleep well?” he asked tenderly as his thumbs rubbed lazy circles on her wrists.

  She shivered at his touch and sighed deeply. “Like the dead.”

  “Good. Today’s going to require a lot more from you than yesterday.”

  What a strange thing to say, she mused. Just having him next to her stoked her confidence. She could take on the day like a champ and face any other surprises that might come her way with courage she didn’t normally have.

  “Well, let’s get some coffee and some food. I don’t know about you but I’m hungry.”

  She nodded, letting him take charge. Hand in hand, they walked out of the building to the waiting SUV.

  “Your chariot, my lady.” Preston bowed slightly.

  “I could get used to riding in style,” she said.

  “I thought mayors’ daughters always took limos.”

  She snorted. “Hardly.”

  His comment struck her as off, coming from a man who obviously required the finer things in life. Or was he just kidding around?

  “Good morning, Frank,” she said.

  “Miss Burke.” He opened the car door.

  She climbed inside and settled into the cool leather seat. Memories from the night before pressed in on her, sending her senses swirling. Preston’s masculine scent was embedded in the leather. She breathed it in as she recalled his hands on her body, his mouth on her flesh. Her nipples hardened, her sex clenched. She wished they’d hailed a cab.

  Preston got in on the other side and sat next to her, his heat pressing in on her. He’d a way of moving that reminded her of a cat—smooth and effortless. He was comfortable in his body and knew how to use his masculinity to full effect. She supposed he must in his line of work.

  She lifted her gaze. Concern etched his face.

  “Thinking about your London deal?” she asked. She was half-teasing, half-serious. Hoped he was thinking the same thing she was.

  “Not a chance.”

  He was thinking about what happened the night before…

  “How long will my business take?” She pretended to be blasé about business before pleasure.

  “All morning, I’m afraid. We’re picking up my mother and driving out to Long Island so you can see Sparkle Industries.”

  “I already told you…”

  “Mom insists.” He sat back, watched the early morning crowd hurrying along the sidewalk. “I want you to know, if at any time today you need a break or you want to stop, we will. Just say the word. We can always finish up tomorrow or the next day. I know this will be a lot for you, even painful at times, and I don’t want to push you too hard.”

  “Thank you, Preston,” she said and looked down at her hands. His concern for her well-being touched her deeply. There was more to the family saga he hadn’t told her, information that would likely be devastating to hear.

  How lucky she would have him by her side this morning as they sorted out the Burke legacy.

  Cadence reached over and covered his hand with hers. His skin was warm, rough. He smiled at her but his heart wasn’t in it. She could tell. She’d done enough fake smiles in her lifetime. What made him change?

  She withdrew and kept her hands to herself. Whatever the morning would bring, it wouldn’t change how she felt about him.

  “Phooey,” she said. It wasn’t the word she would’ve liked to have used.

  “Is something wrong?” Preston asked.

  She looked at him. “I wish this morning was over.”

  His expression darkened. Whatever troubled him, he wasn’t sharing.

  The car finally pulled up to a bagel shop teeming with people. A line of hungry New Yorkers continued out the door.

  “Mother used to take me here when I was little,” Cadence said, recognizing the place immediately. Even the green-and-white-striped awning was the same. Nostalgia added to her discomfort as they climbed out of the Escalade. She’d avoided these places where she and her mother had gone and she’d never visited Ground Zero.

  Except she’d booked a room at the Michelangelo. It’d been the place she’d thought of first when she needed the comfort of something familiar.

  “Mine too,” Preston was saying. “I used to come here before school started each day.”

  Cadence could picture him grabbing breakfast on the run. “Too bad we never crossed paths.”

  “We did.” He guided her to the end of the line with a hand warming her lower back.

  She couldn’t help but notice how the other females and a few of the males in the crowd watched them. She prickled with resentment and then let the emotion free. He attracted the ladies. She should leave it at that.

  “We did? Tell me,” she urged, claiming him with a hand around his arm.

  “It was awhile ago. You were alone. I was alone. You ordered an ‘everything bagel’ with butter, lettuce and tomato. I was behind you in line and you dropped your credit card. I picked it up for you.” He gave her an easy smile. The memory was a good one. “I recognized you instantly.”

  Cadence couldn’t remember the chance meeting at the bagel shop. How could she have missed him? How remarkable he remembered what she’d ordered.

  With clarity, she understood she’d wounded him all those years ago when she’d ignored him.

  She’d always been so cautious, picking her friends with care, not really trusting they wanted to be her friend, except for their own gain or bragging rights. She’d missed out on knowing many different kinds of people.

  He motioned for her to walk ahead of him but Cadence stayed where she was.

  “Preston,” she started but stopped.

  How those green eyes took her breath away. She needed a second to recover. Had he noticed? She hoped he had.

  “I feel like we need to get something out in the open.” There was a time when she wouldn’t have been so bold in a public place. Right now she didn’t care who was listening.

  He narrowed his eyes, sizing her up. She imagined he was a very good attorney, giving his clients one hundred percent. He was giving her his full attention now and she hoped she was more than a client to him.

  “I’m sorry. I never intended to ignore you. My teen years were controlled so carefully by my father, especially when he was mayor.”

  His expression thawed slightly. “You lived in a fishbowl. You had to be careful.”

  “I walked around with blinders on.”

  “Yeah, you did.”

  She squeezed his arm, felt his strength. “I’d like to be friends.”

  He leaned closer. His aftershave smelled wonderful. “Me too.”

  “Maybe more than friends?” She cocked an eyebrow.

  “Let’s just take it one day at a time.”

  “Okay. One day at a time.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her tight. She released his arm and wound her hand around his waist. He tensed and she knew this time it was a good thing.

  Standing here with him, she felt warm and fuzzy inside. The anger that’d dogged her since Victoria dropped the bomb after her grad party evaporated into ancient history.

  As the line inched forward, they stayed joined at the hip. A couple? Maybe. She knew for certain he cared about her. He’d remembered what kind of bagel she’d ordered, for heaven’s sake.

  Cadence spotted a group of Columbia students leaving a table and she made a beeline to claim it. Luckily the table was located in the back of the café. They would be able to talk in private.

  Preston joined her, carrying a bag and two coffees. He sat down, his long legs cramped in the small space. She looked around. There wasn’t another table empty.

  “
Are you comfortable?” she asked.

  “I’ll manage,” he replied, just as James Bond would have.

  She opened the bag and smelled the freshly baked aroma of the bagels. All seemed right with the world. She took one out and handed it over to Preston with a napkin. She helped herself to the second one.

  She wanted to tell him that she hoped a trip to her room was on the menu today but didn’t. The moment was perfect just as it was.

  She slowly sipped her coffee and eyed Preston as he gave her a smoldering gaze from above the rim of his cup.

  Maybe she should’ve risked a little hint in that direction. He certainly looked willing.

  “After we eat, we’ll head over to my mother’s condo on the East Side and pick her up. From there we’ll go to Sparkle Industries. Now that you’re in charge, you should know the lay of the land.”

  “That’s only temporary, you understand? I know my limits. I can’t run a company. Besides, I have a career waiting for me in art history.”

  “That’s your call,” he said. He took a bite of his bagel.

  Having voiced her objections, Cadence sat back. She was grateful he hadn’t tried to convince her to keep the company. Running Sparkle Industries was the furthest thing from her plans for the future.

  She hadn’t been to her grandfather’s company in years, not since her mother’s death. She’d assumed the business had been sold, the assets going to her father. How extraordinary that her mother had managed to fool everyone.

  “Mom will fill you in,” Preston said in his reassuring manner. “Once we’re finished showing you around, you can sign the appropriate paperwork. I will point you in the direction of some excellent colleagues of mine who will be more than willing to assist you with the sale of your sizable estate if you want the help. After that, you are free to return to New Haven.”

  Anticipation whooshed out of her. He was dismissing her. Had she expected too much?

  “But I hope you’ll spend some time with me first.”

  Her emotions soared. “I would love to spend some time with you.”

  He looked intently at her, a slow smile curving his delicious lips. “Good. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”